DeShields rejoins Rangers as Rua lands on DL

HOUSTON -- Outfielder Delino DeShields is back in the big leagues, just three days after being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. DeShields' quick return was necessitated when Ryan Rua went on the disabled list with back spasms.

Carlos Tocci was still in center field for the Rangers on Saturday. Manager Jeff Banister said the lineup was already set before the Rangers realized that Rua would have to go on the disabled list.

HOUSTON -- Outfielder Delino DeShields is back in the big leagues, just three days after being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. DeShields' quick return was necessitated when Ryan Rua went on the disabled list with back spasms.

Carlos Tocci was still in center field for the Rangers on Saturday. Manager Jeff Banister said the lineup was already set before the Rangers realized that Rua would have to go on the disabled list.

"Tocci has earned it," Banister said. "He is a young guy who has shown some worth at this level and has the skill set that gives him the opportunity to grow at the big league level."

DeShields has been the Rangers' starting center fielder for most of the season but was optioned to Round Rock on Tuesday because the Rangers needed another pitcher. DeShields was in a 1-for-37 slump that had dropped his overall batting average to .204 with a .300 on-base percentage.

"Tocci is playing out there tonight, and then we'll reassess it from there," Banister said.

The Rangers wanted to "unplug" DeShields, which means give him a chance to step out of the pressurized spotlight of the Majors and work on specific things. He was 2-for-12 in three games at Round Rock before being recalled.

"Delino … obviously there is an opportunity again," Banister said. "Delino's option gave us the opportunity to allow Delino to unplug a little bit and work on his swing and approach. Now there is another need here. We had an outfielder go down. We need another outfielder. We know the impact Delino can have on our offense and our team."

Texas also optioned left-hander Brandon Mann to Triple-A so the Rangers could call up Ariel Jurado from Double-A Frisco to start against the Astros.

Butler finally joins RangersReliever Eddie Butler, who joined the Rangers on Friday night and pitched a scoreless inning against the Astros, was originally drafted out of high school by Texas. He was taken in the 35th round of the 2009 MLB Draft but instead decided to attend Radford University.

Butler said he did not come close to signing with the Rangers.

"Not really … I would have loved to, but what I really needed to get out [to compensate for] not going to college wasn't being offered," Butler said. "It wasn't long and drawn-out. We said, 'Thanks for drafting us, hopefully we can get together down the road.'"

That happened on Friday when the Rangers acquired the right-handed reliever from the Cubs in a trade for Cole Hamels.

Rangers beat • Rookie utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa had his third four-hit game on Friday. He is the only Major League rookie with three four-hit games. The last Rangers rookie to accomplish this feat was outfielder George Wright in 1982.

• Robinson Chirinos hit his 14th home run on Friday night. That's tied with Yadier Molina and Wilson Ramos for the second most by a catcher in the Major Leagues this season. Yasmani Grandal of the Dodgers leads with 17.

• Adrian Beltre had three hits on Friday night, further evidence to Banister that his third baseman is not letting trade talk distract him.

"I think Adrian is handling it just fine," Banister said. "I'm not sure there is much that affects him. He just goes out and plays. He continues to play a high-level brand of baseball. I don't see any effect except he continues to stay energized."